Hi all! My parents have been extremely generous with me and my husband, forever but especially since my son was born. They watch him 3 days a week while I work, and sometimes other times when I need to go to an appointment or something. They've had us at their house almost constantly while our kitchen is being remodeled, too (with money from a loan they gave us, which is to be paid back to ourselves for a college fund for the baby!) They have given us tons of money and a car over the years and of course they are very loving and generous to our son. I want to do something nice for them, plus my dad's birthday is coming up, but we don't have a lot of money so I'm having a hard time thinking of ideas. Anybody have any? Thank you!
The photo items sound great. I had an awesome MIL and only regret I didn't tell her often enough. She knew but saying it is really special. A letter from you saying what you say here will be priceless to them in my opinion.
We make DVD slide shows for my extremely generous parents, complete with special songs that have meaning to them/us. Costs us nothing and gets 'em every time! We live 3000 miles apart, so pics are very precious to them.
We also made handprint plaques of both girls for them. That was a big hit too.
why not take a special pic of your son with both his grandparents then each individually w/son and find a large 4 pic frame or have it professionally done. I bet that would mean the world to the both since it is the both who are generous. Even though it is your dads bday I am sure it is a special day for the both of them together.
Karin,
While it is nice to try to get them something I think the very best gift is honest appreciation and telling them that you appreciate it. We watch our grandchildren and do as much as possible for our daughter and honestly I do not expect nor do I want them to buy us things. If they are helping you out financially they probably would prefer you not spend money on things they don't really need or want. Really, although just having the grandchildren is a gift in itself, it is always especially nice to be appreciated. Write a nice letter/card and send it to them. I can guarantee it goes a long way to know that you and your husband recognize that they are wonderful to you and your kids.
What about a scrapbook? You could do pics of just them and your son, or do just them, or all of you. Also, I'd do a special letter. You can really let them know just how much all their generosity, support and love have meant to you and I'm sure they'd love it.
Well, you could give them a really nice, long, detailed thank you card. My in laws are super generous all the time too. Recently, I sent them a thank you card where I thanked them for specific things they did, bought, etc and also said how this affected our lives and how special we felt to have such loving generous people, etc. Anyways, my MIL called me to say that they received the card and that she sooooo appreciated it. Something along the lines of "the sweetest most thoughtful" thing she ever got. Maybe your parents would like something like that that they can re-read?
In addition to the ideas about special pics,etc. of the kids: I also will do something that doesn't cost too much- but gives them my time. Once we took my dad to the local museum that had a dinosaur exhibit- it was just me and him and the grandkids- fairly cheap tickets- and then of course he insisted on paying for lunch- but it was an entire Saturday that we devoted to just him. Another time I took my mom to see the musical Wicked- just me and her- and a simple dinner out beforehand. Even just a day at the park or local free museum or something with you and the kids. I also have had my mom as my daycare for the past 8 years- and they have gone above and beyond in watching the kids whenever we needed (doing sleepovers so we can sleep in after a wedding, etc.); they have also given us so much financial help- no way we can pay that back. I think giving them your time and undivided attention is always appreciated- and of course who can resist cute pics of the grandkids- or even framing some artwork the kids did. Good luck!
In addition to the suggestions already given, I would also offer making a photo book or calender or similar on a site like Shutterfly. You can upload pics from your computer and put together different layouts and designs, then order whatever you want as a gift to them. I've done a photo book as well as a wall calender every year for my hubby's mother and she looks forward to it every time!
Something VERY easy is do a stepping stone of your sons hand prints and maybe do a scrapbook of their all time fav pics of their grandson. pics are really cheap to print off online and pick up in store or delivered to your house and scrapbooks run about 20 and extra clear pages run about 1.50 for 5 pages and extenders glue dots run about 5 for 500 and pages run about 15 or 20 for about 50 pages and stickers and stuff run from 1-5 for a sheet. and stepping stone kits are like 15 dollars
Create your own photo book photo album filled w/ family pics ... I highly recommend Shutterfly.
fruit of the month club
Our parents love the picture stuff too. I got my mom a tote bag from Shutterfly with the kids pics - she loves to show them off to friends. So any of the photo gifts from the photo sites would be great. I would also do a special photo shoot (your own outside) so that the pictures are new with good close-ups.
I also love the other posters idea of the stepping stone. Michaels carries kits and you can usually use the 40% off coupon.
What about making them something extra special from Shutterfly?
I agreed with Koren: framed pictures of your parents with their grandson would be great. Or if you have lots of pictures and have time, you can make your own photo album with the baby's pictures using this:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/print-products.html
Good luck.
We have received lovely gifts from our sons/daughters-in-law/grandkids that we love. Pictures of the grandkids in frames with really nice phrases.. our favorites say "Grandchildren are a grandparents's link to the future & Grandparents are a child's link to the past" another one is a picture of us with the kids that says "Few things are more delightful than grandchildren fighting over your lap." One Christmas they gave us a gift certificate to a Bed & Breakfast which was extremely nice but the pictures & frames were alot less expensive and appreciated just as much. One of our grandkids is extremely gifted in pencil drawings and he loves to gift them to us. On one of "grandpa's birthdays" they planned a trip to the Zoo so the kids could show us everything they had learned about the animals! Anything like includes you, your hubby and son will be loved. And thanks for the great idea of a loan repaid to the college fund...I plan on using that idea.
Go to picture people.com and print out coupons before u visit.. I just had great photos done.. And even had the dog in one.. Also since I bought a package. I was able to get a framed and mattered trilogy picture for 75 dollars.. Also photos ready in an hour.
I like Koran's idea. You can do this at Sears, KMart or some other lower cost photography studio.
I'm a grandmother and my daughter gave me a 3 frame picture for my birthday. A candid picture of my grandchildren were on each end and in the center was a picture of a flower drawn by my granddaughter and both kids signatures. I love it!
